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Thread: Recommendation for an OM?

  1. #1
    Registered User Mercedes NM's Avatar
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    Default Recommendation for an OM?

    I'm looking for my first OM, and hoping for suggestions. Here's what I'm after:

    - Woody sound, an OM version of my teens A Gibson
    - Short scale for my stubby arms (thanks mom & dad!)
    - Oval hole
    - don't really care about body style, more interested in sound & playability
    - I like used/vintage as well as smaller builders, but am open to anything that fits the above
    - Budget $2500, but would love to get under that (more specifically, hubby would love me to get under that lol)

    Thank you for your help! :-)

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Recommendation for an OM?

    You can get some pretty nice things at that price point. The problem is it's hard to just get out and play some. I would find as many video clips as you can to get a sense of the different voices available. If you're on Facebook, there are different bouzouki/dittern/etc groups where people pose videos. What kind of music do you want to play? There are also now a lot of guitar bodied octave mandolins available which sound different that the old shallot on a stick body type. Do a lot of research, you'll be glad you did.
    Steve

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  4. #3
    Registered User Mercedes NM's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recommendation for an OM?

    Thanks, Steve -- yes, the trying out is the issue. Hoping that folks here can give me some suggestions so I can focus my searches on YouTube etc. (just searching "octave mandolin" is a bit overwhelming).

    I'm starting to focus on some blues, which I'm enjoying on my Gibson, but it would be really fun to play on a woody OM. :-)

  5. #4
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    Default Re: Recommendation for an OM?

    You should take a look at The Irish Bouzouki Forum Facebook page, even if that's not especially the style you're interested in. Just see what people are doing.

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/1689228111104135
    David A. Gordon

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  7. #5
    Registered User Mando Esq's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recommendation for an OM?

    Perhaps the walnut-bodied Northfield would fit the bill.

    https://themusicemporium.com/product...ctave-mandolin
    Eastman MD515 mandolin
    Gretsch G9310 mandolin
    Eastman MDO305E-SB octave mandolin
    Eastman E20om guitar
    Vega Little Wonder tenor banjo
    Epiphone El Capitan acoustic bass

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  9. #6
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    Default Re: Recommendation for an OM?

    I made this suggestion to another poster recently, but you may want to move your post to the CBOM section where it might be seen my more people who play these types of instruments. The old Flatiron octaves might suit you or a Peterson (both out of production) You might find a used Richard Beard at the top of your range. A lot of people seem to like the relatively newEastman 305. those sound a bit murky to me, but I play Irish music and like a bright, open ringing kind of sound.

    A different strategy you might consider is finding a used Trinity College, Gold Tone, or APC/Carvalho for 5 or 6 hundred bucks just to see if you like the instrument and keep shopping for "the one". You could re-sell that one for most of what you paid for it later if you didn't want to keep it, or it may well be enough for you. Good luck.
    Steve

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  11. #7

    Default Re: Recommendation for an OM?

    What your after is out there, but I don't see it today.

    Here's some names to keep a look out for:
    WH Petersen. No longer building but his instruments come up fairly often. Will be easily under your budget. Depending on trim used tends to go for 1-1.5k.
    Davy Stuart. Not sure if he's still building. New within your budget. Used similar price range to Petersen.
    Brockman Lutherie. Still building. He has a used octave now out there for 1k but its bouzouki scale.
    James Jones. Still building. New would be slightly over your price range but used would fit in. He's more known for Hammered dulcimers.
    Weber. Would need to be used and lower trim to fit your budget.

    Right now this Old Wave might be a good find but it doesn't list scale length:
    https://reverb.com/item/69714384-old...ctave-mandolin

    Happy hunting!
    Girouard Concert A5
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  13. #8
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recommendation for an OM?

    .....

  14. #9
    Registered User urobouros's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recommendation for an OM?

    If you're looking for a short scale OM that sounds like a Gibson A, I'd stay away from the GBOMs. The Weber Gallatin OM will be a lot closer tonally and the 20" scale is about as short as you get outside of electrics.
    2020 Northfield Big Mon
    2016 Skip Kelley A5
    2011 Weber Gallatin A20
    2021 Northfield Flattop Octave Mandolin
    2019 Pono Flattop Octave
    Richard Beard Celtic Flattop
    And a few electrics

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  16. #10
    Registered User Mercedes NM's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recommendation for an OM?

    I saw that Old Wave and was excited. I live in NM & was disappointed not to get a chance to meet Bill.

    I messaged the seller and the scale length is 21.75", a bit longer than I was looking for.

    Thanks for the suggestion of other makers to look at ��

  17. #11
    Registered User Mercedes NM's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recommendation for an OM?

    I totally missed the CBOM section, I'm an idiot. Thank you. I can't see a way to move this thread.

    Thank you so much for the suggestions

  18. #12

    Default Re: Recommendation for an OM?

    My Sawchyn Beavertail OM is a superb instrument, and it cost $1200 Cdn. Unfortunately the scale is 23 1/2, and Peter Sawchyn has retired. Anyone who has one of these is not likely to let go of it.

  19. #13
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    Default Re: Recommendation for an OM?

    I got a great quality GBOM from a small builder in Calif. He does mostly guitars. In fact he made a stunning 12 fret OM (guitar) for me. This one is his first OM and it is quite the keeper -- spruce top, mulberry b/s, 20" scale, GREAT tone. He is currently building GBOM #2 with a great spruce top and highly figured koa b/s.
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  20. #14
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    Default Re: Recommendation for an OM?

    If you don't mind an import, the eastman MDO-605 might satisfy or perhaps even the 305 would do. Personally, I have not found one that fully satisfied my ears south of the $8000 price bracket, but I reckon that's my curse... If I ran across a second hand 605 at a decent price I would likely buy it just to have one.
    too many strings

  21. #15
    Registered User urobouros's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recommendation for an OM?

    I think either of the Eastman MDO models would scratch the OM itch without breaking the bank. The MDO-305 is was my gateway OM and, though I sold it in my hunt for a deeper tone, it's a great instrument for the money.
    2020 Northfield Big Mon
    2016 Skip Kelley A5
    2011 Weber Gallatin A20
    2021 Northfield Flattop Octave Mandolin
    2019 Pono Flattop Octave
    Richard Beard Celtic Flattop
    And a few electrics

  22. #16
    Registered User Charlie Bernstein's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recommendation for an OM?

    A friend makes all-solid-wood Irish zooks for nice prices. If you'd like contact info, let me know.
    Gibson A-Junior snakehead (Keep on pluckin'!)

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